Method and apparatus for twisting yarn



Jan. 28, 1964 w. E. DAVIS ETAL uzmon AND APPARATUS FOR ms'rmc YARN Filedlarch 19. 1962 a T w /l a a m l i A\ m fl 2. w W} H m. c Q J/J W, 1% d.9 A m m u n Pi d r w w Kw A United States Patent 3,119,225 METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR TWlSTlNG YARN Walter Evan Davis and Ray Frank Callaway,Charlotte, N.C., assignors to Celanese Corporation of America, New York,N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 180,627 14Claims. (Cl. 5775) This invention relates to twisting and winding yarnand more particularly is directed toan improved twist spindledevice anda method for simultaneously feeding, twisting and winding dual ends ofyarn to provide a bobbin package for subsequent removal of the yarntherefrom simultaneously and separately.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide an improved twistspindle apparatus and method for simultaneously twisting and winding twoseparately fed ends or threads of yarn onto a bobbin package, the dualends of yarn being wound thereon in parallel relation and havingsubstantially the same twist level but with one end containing S twist,the other Z twist and adapted to be subsequently simultaneously removedonto separate packages or utilized directly as a dual or parallelthread, which method shall be capable of performance on existingmachinery after minor and inexpensive modification and by conventionallytrained operators, which apparatus shall require a minimum ofmaintenance, be dependable, practical and efficient to a high degree inuse.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly comprises the steps of the method, features ofconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts whichshall be exemplified in the method, apparatus and article hereinafterdescribed, the scope of the application of which will be indicated inthe claims following.

In the accompanying drawing in which an illustrative embodiment of theinvention is shown:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a twisting and windingapparatus constructed to embody the invention showing two ends of yarnsbeing fed, one directly to a ring traveler and the other through a boreprovided in a spindle shaft and then to the ring traveler, and thenbeing simultaneously wound on a bobbin.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken through the spindle shaftshowing the novel bore construction with one end of yarn extendingtherethrough, and

FIG. 3 is a detailed vertical section of the upper end of the spindleshaft shown in FIG. 2.

Referring in detail to the drawing, A generally denotes a twisting andwinding machine incorporating novel spindle 10, constructed to embodythe invention, shown mounted on stationary spindle rail 20 to extendvertically and concentrically through ring 31 mounted in an opening inring rail 30, the latter being adapted to reciprocate vertically bymeans of conventional mechanism (not shown).

As seen in FIG. 2, spindle -may comprise a rotatable upper spindle shaft12 and a fixed lower end portion 11 having a stud shaft 11a extendingfrom an intermediate lateral flange 11b forming a supporting baseagainst spindle rail 20, stud shaft 11a being seated in open ended well21 and terminating in a projecting threaded end 110 to receive lock nut11d for removably securing spindle 10 on rail 20. Extending upwardlyfrom flange 11b and concentric with stud shaft 11a is a journal-box 112in which lower end 12a of spindle shaft 12 may be suitably journaled asby spaced ball bearings 13 and 14. A spindle whorl 15 is mounted, as byforce fitting, to turn with spindle shaft 12 and, for proper alignmentwith driving belt 22 of machine A spindle whorl 15 may be bell shaped toprovide an open bottom hollow core 15a accommodating journal-box He inspaced concentric relation.

Patented Jan. as, 1964 ICC Spindle shaft 12 may comprise an elongatedhollow 7 tube herein shown as substantially uniform in cross-see tionand proportioned in length to extend through and project beyond theaxial bore 19a of a bobbin 19 or other yarn reeling device adapted to bemounted thereon above whorl 15. Any suitable means may be provided onspin-' dle shaft 12 for supporting and engaging bobbin 19 for axialrotation therewith. To this end'upper surface 15b of whorl 15 may beadapted to support bobbin 19 and carrles projecting lugs 150 forpositive interconnection of yarn may be threaded in accordance with theinvention in the manner hereinafter more fully described. Said axialbore 10a is shown formed as the bore of an inner tube 16 rigidlysupported, as by force fit, to coaxially extend through stud shaft 11awith lower end 16a projecting therefrom. The upper portion of inner tube16 upon emerging from stud shaft 11a extends through bore 12b of spindleshaft 12 in coaxial spaced relation and terminates at the upper end ofspindle shaft 12 with ball bearing 17 fitted therebetween.

Conventional feed rolls 35 driven by suitable means (not shown) ofmachine A may be mounted above spindle 10 to continuously supply twoends of yarn 28 and 29 from any suitable source (not shown) to ringtraveler 32 for twisting and winding onto bobbin 19.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, end of yarn 28 is directed from feed rolls 35through any required intermediate guides (not shown) to balloon guide 36then through ring traveler 32 onto bobbin 19 in the well understoodmanner. In accordance with the invention second end of yarn 29 isdirected from feed rolls 35 through a plurality of guides 37 to passupwardly through axial bore 10a of spindle 10, entering at projectinglower end 16a of inner tube 16, emerging at the top of spindle shaft 12,then passing down through ring traveler 32 and paralleling end of yarn28 onto bobbin 19.

From the above description and drawings, the operation of Machine A forforming the novel bobbin package wound with two separate and parallelends of yarn, one with Z twist, the other with S twist will now bereadily understood.

Rolls 35 feed end of yarn 28 froom the source at a desired predeterminedrate for winding onto bobbin 19 which is being rotated with spindleshaft 12 by driving belt 22 engaging spindle whorl 15 and lugs 15c inturn engaging bobbin 19. The r.p.m. of bobbin 19 is timed to provide aperipheral speed greater than the rate of feeding of end of yarn 28 byrolls 35 thus causing a tension on yarn 28 to effect a whirling of ringtraveler 32 around bobbin 19 thereby imparting the desired twist levelto the yarn. Ring rail 30 is caused to reciprocate vertically by machineA in proper timed relation to the winding of the yarn on bobbin 19 foreven distribution therealong.

Said feeding, whirling, winding and reciprocating are accomplished inthe manner well understood in the art. v

The improved apparatus provides for simultaneously feeding the secondend of yarn 29 at the same rate as end of yarn 28, as by the same rolls35, but bypassing bobbin 19 directs end of yarn 29 through intermediateguides 37 into spindle axial bore 10a, entering at projecting lower end16a of inner tube 16, passing through bore 10a and emerging at spindleshaft upper end 120 above bobbin 19.

Thereafter, end of yarn 29, reversing direction, passes through ringtraveler 32 and is wound up on bobbin 19 in separate and parallelrelation to end of yarn 28. By sharing the same ring traveler 32, beingfed at the same rate by rolls 35 and being subjected to the same tensionby the peripheral speed of bobbin 19 both ends of yarn 28 and 29 willhave imparted thereto the same twist level but in opposite directions toprovide one with Z twist and the other with S twist.

The improved method embodying the invention will be seen to comprise thesteps of simultaneously feeding two ends of yarn 28 and 29 at the samerate, passing one of the ends of yarn 28 to a point, such as balloonguide 36, located beyond or above an upper bobbin flange 19c,simultaneously passing the other end of yarn 29 to a point bypassingbobbin 19, such as lower end 16a of inner tube 16 located beyond orbelow opposite or lower bobbin flange 19b then through bobbin 19 alongits axis of rotation, such as through stationary inner tube 16, to apoint, such as upper end 120 of spindle shaft 12, above or beyond upperbobbin flange 19c, bringing ends of yarn 28 and 29 into close proximityand whirling them simultaneously about bobbin 19, such as by passingends of yarn 28 and 29 through ring traveler 32, and then passing endsof yarn 28 and 29 in arallel relation to each other onto bobbin 19, thelatter being rotated in timed relation to the rate of feeding of theends of yarn 28 and 29 to provide a peripheral speed to bobbin 19greater than said feeding rate to effect said whirling of yarn 28 and 29in ring traveler 32 around bobbin 19 thereby simultaneously impartingthe desired twist level to both'ends of yarn 28 and 29, but one with Ztwist and the other with S twist. Thereafter when bobbin 19 is fullywound and removed from spindle 10, ends of yarn 28 and 29 may besimultaneously unwound from bobbin 19, separated and rewoundindividually onto separate yarn packages, such as cones, or cheesepackages (not shown).

While the appparatus and method have been described in connection withthe winding of a single bobbin 19, it is to be understood, in accordancewith the usual practice in the art that machine A may provide, byduplication of parts, for carrying out the feeding, twisting and windingoperations simultaneously in connection with a plurality of bobbins.

It will thus be seen that the above described apparatus and methodmanufacture a novel yarn package of two ends of yarn, one with a Ztwist, the other with an S twist inserted therein to the same twistlevel, wound in parallel relation on suitable skeins, spools or cheesesand may be used as a dual or parallel thread.

It will also be apparent from the above description that ends of yarn 28and 29 when finally wound together on bobbin 19 may contain other thanequal and opposite twist. Thus, where two ends of yarn at their sourceinitially have their respective twist differing in direction and/ordegree, the above described method and apparatus will impart apredetermined degree of twist applied in one direction to one of theends of yarn and an equal degree of twist but applied in an oppositedirection to the other of said ends of yarn, the final direction anddegree of twist being the resultant of the initial and applied twist. Itwill thus be seen that there is provided a method and apparatus forsimultaneously twisting and winding two ends of yarn to form a novelbobbin package in which the several objects of the invention areachieved and which are well adapted to meet the conditions of practicaluse.

As various other possible embodiments might be made of the aboveinvention and as various changes in the embodiment above set forth mightbe made, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth orshown in the accompanying drawing are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent:

1. A method for feeding, twisting and winding yarn comprising the stepsof:

(a) simultaneously feeding at the same predetermined rate two ends ofyarn from a supply source to be taken up and wound onto a bobbin havinga rotational axial bore,

(b) rotating said bobbin on its axis at a predetermined r.p.m. to imparta peripheral rate of speed to the bobbin in timed relation to andgreater than said feeding rate,

(0) simultaneously passing one of said ends of yarn along a firstpredetermined path to the periphery of said bobbin and the other of saidends of yarn along a second predetermined path through said bobbinrotational axial bore to the periphery of said bobbin, and

(d) bringing said first and second paths together after said second pathleaves said bobbin rotational axial bore for simultaneous whirling aboutthe axis of said bobbin thereby imparting Z twist to one of said ends ofyarn and S twist to the other.

2. The method defined in claim 1 including the step of:

(e) winding both ends of yarn, one imparted with Z twist and the otherwith S twist in parallel relation to each other onto said rotatingbobbin to form a bobbin pack-age,

(f) unwinding both ends of yarn simultaneously from the bobbin package,and

(g) separating and rewinding each end of yarn individually onto separateyarn packages, one containing Z twist, the other 8 twist.

3. A method of twisting and winding two ends of yarn fed simultaneouslyfrom a supply source at a predetermined rate through a ring traveleronto a bobbin having an axial bore and spaced flanges comprising thesteps of:

(a) passing one of said ends of yarn from the supply source to a firstpoint located beyond one of said bobbin flanges and then through thering traveler,

(b) simultaneously passing the other of said ends of yarn from thesupply source to a second point beyond the other of said bobbin flangesthen through the bobbin axial bore along the axis of rotation thereof toa third point beyond said first mentioned bobbin flange then through thering traveler,

(c) rotating said bobbin on its axis at a predetermined r.p.m. to imparta peripheral speed greater than said rate of feeding of said ends ofyarn, and

(d) winding both. ends of yarn from the ring traveler in parallelrelation to each other onto said rotating bobbin whereby one of the endsof yarn has imparted thereto a Z twist and the other an S twist.

4. The method defined in claim 3 including the step of:

(e) separating said ends of yarn by (l) unwinding the lattersimultaneously from the bobbin and (2) rewindin-g each end of yarnindividually onto separate yarn packages, one containing 2 twist, theother 8 twist.

5. A method of the character described comprising the steps of:

(a) simultaneously feeding at the same predetermined rate two ends ofyarn from a supply source to be taken up and wound onto a bobbinrotating on its axis at -a predetermined r.p.m. to impart a peripheralrate of speed to the bobbin in timed relation to and greater than saidfeeding rate,

(b) simultaneously 'whirling both of said ends of yarn about said bobbinto impart a twist thereto after reversing the feed of one of said endsof yarn to impart 2 twist to one of said ends and S twist to the other,

(e) winding both ends of yarn, one with Z twist the other with S twist,in parallel relation to each other onto said rotating bobbin until thelatter is full,

(d) unwinding both ends of yarn simultaneously from the full bobbin, and

(e) separating and rewinding each end of yarn individually onto separateyarn packages, one containing 2 twist, the other S twist.

6. An apparatus for feeding, twisting and winding yarn comprising:

(a) a bobbin supported for rotation and having a rotational axial bore,I

(b) means for simultaneously feeding at the same predetermined rate twoends of yarn from a supply source, (c) means for rotating said bobbin ata predetermined r.p.m. to impart a peripheral rate of speed to thebobbin in timed relation to and greater than said feeding rate, 1

(d) means for whirling both ends of yarn about said bobbin imparting atwist to said ends of yarn in compensating for said differences betweenthe feeding and peripheral rates,

(e) means for guiding one of said ends of yarn in a relatively directpath from said feeding means to said whirling means and onto the bobbinand for guiding the other of said ends of yarn in a path from saidfeeding means through said boblb-in axial bore along its axis ofrotation to said whirling means and onto the bobbin in parallel relationto said first end of yarn whereby one of said ends of yarn has 2 twistand the other 8 twist.

7. An apparatus for feeding, twisting and winding yarn comprising:

(a) a bobbin having a rotational axial bore,

(b) a spindle having an axial bore extending into said bobbin axial boresupporting the bobbin for rotation therewith,

(c) a ring traveler mounted for revolving about said spindle and bobbin,

(d) means for simultaneously feeding two ends of yarn from a supplysource to said bobbin,

(e) a first means for guiding one of said ends of yarn in a relativelydirect path from said feeding means to said ring traveler and onto thebobbin, and

(f) a second means for guiding the other of said ends of yarn in a pathfrom said feeding means through said spindle axial bore along the axisof rotation of the spindle and bobbin to said ring traveler and onto thebobbin in parallel relation to said first end of yarn whereby one ofsaid ends of yarn has 2 twist and the other 8 twist.

8. In an apparatus having means for feeding, twisting in one direction,and winding a first end of yarn onto a bobbin mounted on a spindle forrotation on a axis, the combination of:

(a) means for feeding a second end of yarn for winding onto said bobbinin parallel relation to said first end of yarn,

(b) said spindle having an axial bore,

(0) means for guiding said second end of yarn from said feeding meansthrough said spindle axial bore to said twisting means,

(d) said gliding means, spindle bore and twisting means beingconstructed and arranged to impart a twist to said second end of yarnopposite in direction to that of said first end of yarn.

9. The combination defined in claim 8 in which said spindle:

(e) has a fixed lower end portion formed with a journal-box and a hollowspindle shaft journaled at one end for rotation in said box and having afree opposite end,

(f) said fixed lower end portion having a bore communicating with and inaxial alignment with said spindle shaft,

(g) a stationary tube fitted in said fixed lower end portion boreextending coaxially through said spindle shaft hollow and spacedtherein, and

(h) a bearing means coacting between said tube and spindle shaft at saidopposite free end, said tube serving as said spindle axial bore throughwhich said second end of yarn is guided.

10. In a yarn feeding, twisting and winding apparatus,

the combination of:

spindle rail having an opening through which said spindle extends,

(d) a ring traveler mounted for revolving about said opening,

(e) a bobbin mounted to rotate with said spindle,

'(f) L-feeding rolls for simultaneously feeding two ends of yarn to saidbobbin through said ring traveler, (g) said spindle being formed with anaxial bore having openings at opposite ends of the spindle, one

of said openings terminating above said bobbin,

(h) means for guiding one of said ends of yarn from said feeding rollsto said ring traveler for imparting a twist thereto, and

(i) means for guiding the other of said ends of yarn from said feedingrolls into a second of said spindle bore openings, through said spindlebore, out of said first spindle bore opening and to the ring travelerfor imparting a twist to said other end of yarn simultaneously with saidfirst mentioned end of yarn, said twist of the other end of yarn beingin the opposite direction to that of the first mentioned end of yarn.

11. In combination with a spindle rail having an open bottom well, aspindle comprising: (a) a fixed lower end portion and a rotatable hollowspindle shaft,

(b) the fixed lower end portion having a stud shaft extending from anintermediate lateral flange, the stud shaft being removably seated insaid well with the intermediate flange forming a support base for thespindle on said spindle rail,

(c) a journal-box extending from said lateral flange, I

.(f) a fixed tube extending from said open bottom of the well throughsaid stud shaft bore and said spindle shaft hollow to said opposite freeend, saidfixed tube forming an axial passageway through the spindlelength for feeding yarn therethrough.

12. In combination with a spindle rail having an open bottom well, aspindle supporting a bobbin for a twisting and winding operation, saidspindle comprising:

(a) a fixed lower end portion and a rotatable hollow spindle shaft,

(b) the fixed lower end portion having a stud haft removably seated insaid well and a journal-box extending fromsaid stud shaft above thespindle rail,

(0) said hollow spindle shaft having one end journaled in said box foraxial rotation, having a midportion for receiving said bobbin thereonfor axial rotation therewith and an opposite free end extending beyondthe bobbin,

(0') a spindle whorl coaxially mounted to turn with the spindle shaftfor rotating the latter by engagement with a driving belt,

(e) said stud shaft having a bore in axial alignment with andcommunicating said spindle shaft hollow with the open bottom of saidwell, and

(f) a fixed tube extending from said stud shaft bore through saidspindle shaft hollow to said opposite free end forming an axialpassageway through the spindle length for feeding yarn therethrough forsaid twisting and winding operation. 13. The combination defined inclaim 12 including: (g) a bearing located between said spindle shaft andfixed tube at said spindle shaft free end for maintaining said tube andspindle shaft in spaced coaxial relation.

14. A method of twisting and winding two ends of yarn simultaneouslyfrom a supply source passing through a ring traveler onto a bobbinhaving an axial bore:

(a) passing one of said ends of yarn through said bobbin axial bore tosaid ring traveler and the other of said ends of yarn directly to saidring traveler,

(b) simultaneously whirling both of said ends of yarn about said bobbinto impart a twist thereto, and

(c) winding both ends of yarn from the ring traveler in parallelrelation to each other onto said bobbin.

. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSWegmann May 30, 1933 McCann Aug. 4, 1942 Campbell Sept. 22, 1942 Seem etal Nov. 10, 1942 Bailey Mar. 29, 1960 Dewhirst Apr. 25, 1961

6. AN APPARATUS FOR FEEDING, TWISTING AND WINDING YARN COMPRISING: (A) ABOBBIN SUPPORTED FOR ROTATION AND HAVING A ROTATIONAL AXIAL BORE, (B)MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY FEEDING AT THE SAME PREDETERMINED RATE TWO ENDSOF YARN FROM A SUPPLY SOURCE, (C) MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID BOBBIN AT APREDETERMINED R.P.M. TO IMPART A PERIPHERAL RATE OF SPEED TO THE BOBBININ TIMED RELATION TO AND GREATER THAN SAID FEEDING RATE, (D) MEANS FORWHIRLING BOTH ENDS OF YARN ABOUT SAID BOBBIN IMPARTING A TWIST TO SAIDENDS OF YARN IN COMPENSATING FOR SAID DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE FEEDINGAND PERIPHERAL RATES, (E) MEANS FOR GUIDING ONE OF SAID ENDS OF YARN INA RELATIVELY DIRECT PATH FROM SAID FEEDING MEANS TO SAID WHIRLING MEANSAND ONTO THE BOBBIN AND FOR GUIDING THE OTHER OF SAID ENDS OF YARN IN APATH FROM SAID FEEDING MEANS THROUGH SAID BOBBIN AXIAL BORE ALONG ITSAXIAL OF ROTATION TO SAID WHIRLING MEANS AND ONTO THE BOBBIN IN PARALLELRELATION TO SAID FIRST END OF YARN WHEREBY ONE OF SAID ENDS OF YARN HASZ TWIST AND THE OTHER S TWIST.